These beliefs include the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the forgiveness of sins through a priest, baptismal regeneration, the existence of purgatory, Mary's special role, and much more.

Early Christian writings prove the first Christians were thoroughly Catholic in belief and practise and looked to the successors of the apostles as their leaders. What these first Christians believed is still believed by the Catholic Church. No other Church can make that claim.

Man's ingenuity cannot account for this. The Church has remained One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic - not through man's effort, but because God preserves the Church He established. - Matt. 16:18, 28:20 - He guided the Israelites on the escape from Egypt by giving them a pillar of fire to light their way across the dark wilderness - Exodus 13:21 - Today He guides us through His Catholic Church.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, sacred Tradition, and the writings of the earliest Christians testify that the Church teaches with Jesus' authority. In this age of countless competing religions, each clamoring for attention, one voice rises above the din: the Catholic Church, which the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible calls "the pillar and foundation of truth." - 1 Tim. 3:15 -

Jesus assured the apostles and their successors, the pope and the bishops, "He who listens to you listens to me, and he who rejects you rejects me." - Luke 10:16 - Jesus promised to guide His Church into all truth. Jesus chose the apostles to be the earthly leaders of the Church. He gave them his own authority to teach and to govern - not as dictators, but as loving fathers and pastors. That is why Catholics call their spiritual leaders "father." In doing so we follow Saint Paul's example: "I became your father in Jesus Christ through the gospel." - 1 Cor. 4:15 -

The apostles, fulfilling Jesus' will, ordained bishops, priests, and deacons and thus handed on their apostolic ministry to them - the fullest degree of ordination to the bishops, lesser degrees to the priests and deacons. Jesus gave Peter special authority among the apostles - John 21:15-17 - and signified this by changing his name from Simon to Peter, which means "rock." - John 1:42 - He said Peter was to be the rock on which he would build His Church. - Matt. 16:18 -

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, Simon's new name was Kepha (which means a massive rock). Later this name was translated into Greek as Petros - John 1:42 - and into English as Peter. Christ gave Peter alone the "keys of the kingdom" - Matt. 16:19 - and promised that Peter decisions would be binding in heaven. He also gave similar power to the other apostles - Matt. 18:18 - but only Peter was given the keys, symbols of his authority to rule the Church on earth in Jesus' absence.
Christ, the Good Shepherd, called Peter to be the chief shepherd of his Church - John 21:15-17 - He gave Peter the task of strengthening the other apostles in their faith, ensuring that they taught only what was true - Luke 22:31-32 - Peter led the Church in proclaiming the gospel and making decisions. - Acts 2:1-41, 15:7-12 -

Early Christian writings tell us that Peter's successors, the bishops of Rome (who from the earliest times have been called by the affectionate title of "pope," which means "papa"), continued to exercise Peter's ministry in the Church.

The pope is the successor to Peter as bishop of Rome. The world's other bishops are successors to the apostles in general.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -